The season to buy or sell your house is quickly approaching. Since I am buying a new place soon, I have looked up information on what to expect as a seller and as a buyer. In fact, as a buyer you will see that these extremely helpful tips for when inspecting the potential home to be.
Sold House by Dick_Phillips
So let’s start with what you need to do as a seller.
1. Talk with an agent about the process before you start. Ask what to expect from beginning to end. I did this for buying, but it is extremely important when selling, too. Do it months before you plan on selling if possible to be able to prepare yourself for what they might tell you.
2. Let go of the house. I am having trouble letting go of my apartment, and I have had trouble in the past letting go of my childhood home. The place you live in becomes more than walls and rooms. Letting go can be difficult when you have so many memories and emotions attached to the place.
However, look at it as a step forward in life, as being able to make new memories and a new home. I can assure you that finding a perfect place will help you let go of the ties you have to your current home real quick.
3. When selling your home make it sparse. This makes the place look bigger and the bigger it looks, the better. Looking at places that are cluttered makes me feel claustrophobic and unimpressed even if I know I will be cluttering the place myself if I were to buy it.
4. Pack away personal items that you don’t want buyers to see. They will want to see every nook and cranny in house. Embarrassed by certain toys you keep in your closet? Or by the magazines you have? Well, pack them away tightly. Buyers want to see what they are buying and will inspect your place inside and out.
5. Pack away items that you want to keep, for example light fixtures or chandeliers. The buyer may want it and if you don’t give it to them they may resent you.
6. Clean. A dirty house will not impress buyers. When cleaning, make sure you get outside as well as inside. You do not want a buyer to not make it inside because the grass was too long.
7. Do minor repairs and big repairs if you can. Minor repairs include painting, fixing dripping faucets, fixing falling shingles, broken windows and more others. However, for bigger repairs that you are unable to fix, it could be taken off the price of the place. Depending on what it is, you may get more for your house if you call in someone to fix it.
8. Make the environment feel good. Make sure it smells good. For example if you smoke, don’t do it inside. Play nice, light music in background, decorate with fresh flowers, and most importantly, make it bright and sunny to make the place look bigger and warmer.
9. Pets. Some buyers will not like pets, be afraid of them or be allergic to them. See if your neighbour can take them for a few hours or put the dog outside while the buyers are there.
Selling a home is just as stressful as finding the right place to buy. Of course you want to sell the place for as much money as possible. The tips provided are guidelines to making your place look and feel better to potential buyers.
Good luck and don’t give up.